1998 Taco try off road manual - is it a good year?

Hi all! I'm looking to bring a Tacoma into my life while keeping my GTI for city driving (and fun). I'm like an older gen bc they're less bloated - and also because I'm trying to keep price to a minimum. I want to get a topper etc for offload truck camping. Is 1998 a good year for this? I'm in CO and I'm seeing a 98 with 160,000 miles for $11,999. It's manual, no accidents, 3.4 L V6 and access cab, which I like in order to maximize bad/living space. Is that a decent price? For that year, the mileage doesn't seem insanely high. Will it be hard to find a topper to fit it? Thanks for your patience with all my newbie questions! Also, I'm not committed to 1st Gens - if you think there's a better year for offload truck camping please let me know! I'm also contemplating selling the GTI and going new Tacoma TRD, but I don't know... Thank you!!!!!

 

Welcome to the Forum!

Each vehicle is different .A lot has to do with where the truck grew up and how it was treated.

Things like the Frame rust issues lower ball joints Timing Belt come to mind.

While Toyota Trucks are good it sometimes takes a few grand to get them up to speed if your paying someone to do the work.

Maybe something newer

You might look at many to you find the one you like.

Beware the Tacoma Lust can sneak up before you know what happened

 

I have a 98, it's as good a year as any over the other 1st gens.. there are 3 different "styles" of 1st gen but unless you're an enthusiast the differences ultimately don't make a real difference.

I use my truck to camp off road in the back of it and I also have the extended cab version. I got VERY lucky when I picked mine up because it came with a hard topper already. We have a very narrow bed so toppers that fit perfectly are hard to come by and are usually beat up when you find one used. No other model of topper intended for a different truck fits (at least none that I know of)


That is a very low amount of miles which is nice but these first gens will usually die from frame rust before the engine or drivetrain quits. There are alot of posts in here showing pictures of how bad it can be, (there's a master file somewhere I'll link it when I find it) so it doesn't matter how nice the body or engine is if the frame fails you. 11k seems high to me but I don't know the CO market maybe @Wulf could give some insight to that?


Personally if you're not committed to the first gen but wanna stick with toyota, the second gens have a much better selection of aftermarket stuff available and you'd find a hard topper easy for them I would imagine. Either way, good luck!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-prevention-treatment-consolidation-thread.355928/

 

welcome to TW

 

My 98 xtra cab, 4x4, TRD 5-speed manual with 220,000 miles will be going up for sale here soon.

Just need to get a new battery, do some fluid changes and clean it.

I am the 2nd owner. Have owned it for 20 years and 200,000 miles. A lot of people here know me and the truck: it’s been meticulously mechanically maintained and tastefully built.

The frame is pristine.

OME 2” suspension all around, BAMF sliders, WRX seats and a 95-97 front end swap are the only major modifications I’ve done to it.

I’m a completely honest seller (and person). The only bad this truck has is the hood and roof. Both got abused by the May 2018 hail storm and the clear coat is compromised.

Other than that the vehicle is in good shape paint and interior wise.

If you are interested PM me and we can figure something out. It will certainly be cheaper than the one you quoted above.

 

@nonibbity if you're serious about a truck definitely PM this man! His claims are legit. Very meticulous with his truck!

 

Thank you.

@nonibbity there is one caveat. We can’t live near each other. If Ol’ Red drives away I can’t handle it emotionally to ever see it again.

My neighbor directly across the street offered me $12k for it the other week. I told him I literally cannot sell you the truck knowing it’ll be parked 20’ away from my house in direct line of sight.

 

That would be brutal !!

People have no idea what these 1st gens seem to bring

 

https://www.bouldertoyota.com/whole...-Boulder-72d837410a0d04fe03dd929d0d0afc23.htm

but you should buy @Madjik_Man ’s and my 2003 will go across the street.

 

Welcome to TW

That price is high unless it is in like new condition. A first gen Tacoma is an awesome camping platform, winter daily, multipurpose vehicle.

 

no! don't!!
20 years is such a long, long time

 

Trust me it hurts. But keeping three vehicles makes no sense. I literally only drive the 98 to keep the fluids moving and seals healthy.

Initially I was going to keep it for my daughter as her first vehicle but that’s another 2.5 years away.

But in terms of it serving its purpose, it can no longer transport me, my GF, daughter and 52 lbs doofus dog.

But it pains me to sell a perfect mechanically 98 with a perfect frame, that I know its near entire life, and get into an 04 where I don’t know what’s up. Although its frame is in very good shape too.

My heart aches about this. And it’s “just a truck” ...

 

We should have just traded.

 

Hmmm...good point about after market selection. Lots of factors in the mix!

 

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the thoughts! Man, the frame rust issue is real - thanks for the link. And yes, I totally have Tacoma lust. I've been doing a lot of rubbernecking.

 

This is in general not to just this thread.

Does no one Horse trade anymore ?Is this something no longer done?

Growing up with buying and selling horses it always was done.

What are you willing to pay ?Make your first offer $1500.00 to $1000.00 lower or more it all comes down to how fast it needs to be gone

Seller if they don`t ask more then they want it is easy to come down hard to raise the price when someone accepts your asking price .

I think on buying from a trusted Member rather then someone selling just a Toyota